It was a gorgeous autumn day here in Chicagoland and I was out with my pipe, my air rifle enjoyed a nice afternoon with my son. Somewhere along the afternoon, I got to thinking about "perfect" things. Things that are a joy just as they are, for what they are and I'm thankful for them in the long list of things I am thankful for. As I walked, realized I was enjoying 4 perfect things which prompted me to think about more.
I think we'd all agree that pipes are a perfect thing, or as near a perfect thing as they are likely to be. How will the future really make them better? Self cleaning? Self reaming? No need for pipe cleaners? Bah. They are near perfect in my mind just as they are. The variety of quality pipes at all price ranges out there is amazing.
Todays tobacco is a perfect thing - not just one blend, but the entire cornucopia of offerings. Aside from one day science figuring out how to make all tobacco non-cancerous, they can't really do much to improve on todays incredible selection of tobacco. We're truly living in the golden age of pipe tobacco.
Brooks style bicycle seats. Invented in the 1800, the classic leather bicycle seat is a perfect thing. We've tried to improve upon it since it was invented but despite the 150 years, millions of dollars, light weight space age materials, we really haven't made a better or more comfortable bike seat. Like a pair of jeans, they are stiff to begin with but mold to your body to provide the perfect ass hammock for your bike.
The Shot Gun - Really, how will this improve? From over and unders, side by side, to pumps, the modern shotgun is about as good as it will get. It will drop everything from a duck to a deer. They may get lighter, but they probably wont get appreciably better. At least they haven't in my life time.
Blue Jeans - enough said. No more money needs to go into developing better, every day casual pants. We're done ever since Levi sewed the first pair together.
The cast iron skillet. Around for hundreds of years, the perfect cooking skillet. Properly seasoned, it makes food taste great and is easy to clean. As a civilization, we've spent billions trying to come up with lighter, slipperier and easier to clean but we're never really done it. We're made them lighter and more toxic, but certainly not better. Like All-Clad pots, by them once and you are done for the rest of your life, and most likely your children's.
Merrell Shoes - wear a pair for a week and you'll see.
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